The Sacramento Police Department (SPD), in partnership with the Sacramento Fire Department (SFD), will begin a Drone First Responder (DFR) Trial Program. This innovative program utilizes small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), or drones, to respond to calls for service from a fixed location. The drones will provide critical overwatch before first responders arrive on scene, verify information, and assist in area searches. By integrating drones into public safety response, the program aims to enhance community service and potentially reduce response times.

The DFR Trial Program will begin on Wednesday, November 20th and will operate in the Del Paso Heights area of Sacramento. Using a data-driven approach, the program is designed to assess call volume, crime patterns, and current patrol use. During the trial, SPD employees will work Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, with drones covering a two-mile response radius. The location was carefully chosen to limit intrusion into airport flight paths and other airspace concerns.

Throughout the trial period, DFR drones may be dispatched alongside or in place of emergency personnel. This will supplement SPD’s Air Operations Unit. The program will track response times, workload, and overall customer service, which will help inform the future use of drone technology in Sacramento’s public safety efforts.

Sacramento Police Department’s UAS Team has been in operation since 2019 and consists of 24 certified pilots. In 2024, the team has supported over 170 emergency calls, conducting more than 573 drone flights. Committed to adopting the latest technology, the City of Sacramento ensures that privacy and transparency remain a priority. All flight data from the DFR program will be made available to the public through the City’s UAS transparency page, accessible here: https://app.airdata.com/u/spduas.

The results of the DFR Trial Program will be reviewed by both the SPD and SFD to evaluate the potential for broader implementation in Sacramento’s public safety operations.